WHOM YOU KNOW IS THRILLED TO INAUGURATE OUR COVERAGE OF DEE KELLER, ANOTHER GREAT AMERICAN DESIGNER MAKING HIGH QUALITY SHOES IN ITALY! The Ernie by Dee Keller is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know.
Dee Keller
If you think Drew Brees is the best thing to come out of Louisiana, you are SADLY mistaken. Drew who? Louisiana is all about DEE. If Peachy Deegan held office in that state, she'd be placing the keys to the kingdom in the hands of Dee Keller (or perhaps her feet), the most impressive new shoe designer we've met in recent times (we know many established ones). Considering we go to the shoe show, FFANY, four times a year which is more frequent than trade shows of other disciplines, this holds quite some weight. We've met Dee, we like Dee, and we are absolutely enamored of her shoes. Dee had a dream and she made it happen. After all, isn't life too short to NOT become a shoe designer making shoes in Italy? AMO LE SCARPE ITALIANE!!! We can't wait to tell you more about her, but let's start at the beginning.
Please meet Ernie! This Ernie is better without Bert and needs no rubber duckie.
The Ernie by Dee Keller is a ballerina flat of cheetah print trimmed in platino laminato.
It is adorned with a gold and black embellishment on the toe. Made in Italy of the finest Italian materials. These can be dressed up or down, and are equally fantastic with a pair of jeans on a weekend or that little black dress. Your feet will be gorgeous and your feet will not be killing you. These are terrifically comfortable, and they feel so soft you might mistake them for slippers.
Whom You Know Highly Recommends the Ernie by Dee Keller!
DeJeanne (Dee) Keller, born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has a law degree from Tulane University. She is married to a successful real-estate developer, has raised four amazing children that are now ages 16 to 23. And as a cancer survivor, she has raised millions for the cause. With her cheerful energy and youthful appearance, it is not unusual to get her confused with Brighton, her 23 year old daughter, University of Texas graduate.
Dee Keller, like most incredible American women, has always loved fashion. Dee however, has an unusually stunning, innate sense of style. With an obsession for beautiful shoes, Dee was determined to create and market her own shoe collection.
Designing and creating a shoe collection is not a simple ambition. She started in her own closet, tearing up her Manolos and Louboutins to understand how shoes are constructed.
Traveling to Italy, where master shoemakers reside, Dee continued to cultivate her knowledge and understanding of the best materials and craftsmanship. Within a few months, Dee was designing her collection and having samples made. Her first collection exited for Spring-Summer 2012.
Dee Keller’s first shoe collection was instantly applauded and purchased by some of the best luxury boutiques in the south. Knowing that the first season is an important test, her orders delivered on time, and the inventory was basically sold before her shoes made it to the sales floor. They were “pre-sold” to clients by enthusiastic sales associates.
Inspired by her initial success, Dee decided to expand her distribution for Autumn-Winter 2012, selling luxury specialty stores in Houston and Dallas as well as Neiman Marcus stores across the country. The Dee Keller collection is inspired by contemporary southern women. Charming women of the south have always been stereotyped as, very feminine and lady-like which is reflected by the impeccable way they dress. They are, however, the pillar of strength on the inside. Dee Keller shoes reflect this femininity and charm, but incorporates a boldness that references strength.
Italian design by way of Louisiana: Living out her longtime dream to become an accessory designer, Baton Rouge-based Dee Keller changed career paths to blaze a new trail and launch her eponymous line. To realize her dream, Keller leverages the rich history of Italian craftsmanship for the production of her shoes and handbags. With a much-lauded Spring 2012 debut that has since attracted the attention of Neiman Marcus, her styles are fresh, relevant and timeless with a delightful attention to detail found in every piece. Marked by their joie de vivre and beauty, Keller’s designs will add a spark to any wardrobe.
